Nor are the goods properly ours, since, by civil prescription and without us, they are all destined to certain successors.

And although we have some liberty beyond that, yet I think we ought not, without great and manifest cause, to take away that from one which his fortune has allotted him, and to which the public equity gives him title; and that it is against reason to abuse this liberty, in making it serve our own frivolous and private fancies.
My destiny has been kind to me in not presenting me with occasions to tempt me and divert my affection from the common and legitimate institution.

I see many with whom 'tis time lost to employ a long exercise of good offices: a word ill taken obliterates ten years' merit; he is happy who is in a position to oil their goodwill at this last passage.

The last action carries it, not the best and most frequent offices, but the most recent and present do the work.

These are people that play with their wills as with apples or rods, to gratify or chastise every action of those who pretend to an interest in their care.